Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Simply The Hodgepodge

You know what they say-time flies when you're having fun, and summer around here is proving that to be true! Here are my answers to this week's questions...be sure to add your link at the end of my post before you hurry off to see what the neighbors had to say-

1. The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week...what's one thing you could do this week to qualify as a participant?

I could tackle my office files. I won't, but I could....they need reviewing and purging and shredding, but you need to stay home to do that so here's my real answer-This week I will not spend any time worrying about the files that need reviewing, purging or shredding. Ha-turns out there's more than one way to simplify a life!

Bellinis make me think of Venice, so if I can have mine served at Harry's Bar then count me in. Their Bellinis are famous and the price reflects that, but they are super delizioso. Plus, you're in Venice so what's not to love?
3. Eleanor Roosevelt once wrote, "Do one thing every day that scares you."Agree or disagree...explain.

Yeah, I kind of do agree. Doing something that scares you doesn't mean doing something stupid...after all, healthy fear is oftentimes what keeps us alive. I think Mrs. Roosevelt's words remind us to let go of the fears we carry out into the world every day that are not healthy. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, and fear of criticism to name just a few. When I try something new, do something outside my imagined comfort zone, put my toe in the water and swim, that's when I grow. Not just in confidence or in knowledge, but also in faith. I don't believe we have to face our fears alone.

"When I am afraid, I will trust in You." Psalm 56:3...also a good 'quote' to remember.

4. What's your favorite household chore? Yes, you have to choose one.

I'm stumped.Does loading the dishwasher count because I'm a master at that? Not so much a fan of the unloading, but I kind of enjoy the loading. I don't like dishes sitting in the sink so it always feels good to get them in the dishwasher. Hubs has taken to just setting the dishes in there any old way because he knows I'm gonna reorganize it to fit in twice as much as he thinks possible.
5. Fodor's recently listed (what they've dubbed) the ten most beautiful sunset spots in America. Click here to read more or see pretty pictures, but this is their list...

Have you seen the sun set from any of these spots? If you could choose to watch the sun set from one of the spots on Fodor's list, which would you choose. Where was the prettiest sunset you've ever seen?

I've seen the sun set from Mallory Square in Key West...pretty sure it's the law of the land down there. Okay, maybe not the law, but it's a big party come sunset time in Key West. I prefer a quieter sunset, more awe and less drunken tourist, so of the ones listed I think I'd choose Santa Fe. My grandparents lived in New Mexico and my grandfather was a painter who captured the beauty of that state on canvas. I remember how big the sky felt when we'd visit out there...it was the first place I ever saw a purple sky. My most favorite, and definitely some of the world's most beautiful sunsets, are in Marco Island Florida. We've spent a lot of time there and truth be told, the sunsets are part of the draw. When our girls were little we'd tell them to watch closely, because the sun was going to fall into the ocean.

And it did.

6. What's your favorite or most used app? If you don't use apps, how about your favorite or most visited website?

Instagram. No politics, no bickering, in fact there's not a lot of talk period, just lots of really nice pictures. I'm Daleyshots if you're a fan too.

7. We've recently passed the halfway mark for 2013...write a seven word sentence that sums up your year thus far.

If you only knew how many times I wrote and re-wrote my sentence to get it down to seven words! Here it is-Not a lotta blanks in the calendar!
8. Insert your own random thought here.

Sunday was a gorgeous day so hubs and I spent a few hours at the NJ State Fair. I've been wondering about something we saw there, well lots of things actually, but for starters this-

Has anyone every tried it (the koolaid, not the funnel cake). Isn't koolaid powder? How do they fry powder? Part of me wishes I'd tried it, and part of me knows there cannot be a single redeeming quality in something called fried koolaid. Can there?

I have never heard of this kool-aid concoction. New to me. But then, I'm not a kool-aid type person. LOL As for the sunset photo you shared, I love the camaraderie of sisterhood in that picture. Yes, that 7 word sentence was tough. And one more thing....I LOVE your take on simplifying....at least the very last part. LOL

I don't think fried cool-aid sounds all that good! lol And the sunset photo with your two beautiful daughters is beautiful too. I don't mind loading the dishwasher either. Have a good day and thanks! sandie

I alternate the time I post the link to try to give everyone 'equal opportunity' : ) This week I posted the link at 12:01 so some of the early birds are actually west coasters or east coast night owls. Last week I set the link to post at 4 am which means the east coasters are generally first on the link up.

I enjoyed reading your answers. It seems you've had the opportunity to visit many places in your life, what a blessing!About the Kool Aid thing - sugar and artificial color, why would I want to try it in any form? I saw another commenter say something about a type of doughnut, that makes sense. Deep fried=the fair.

Would love to join you at Harry's Bar! I guess I could agree with loading the dishwasher, I'm pretty good at that. I always forget to go to Instagram except for when I have a photo to share. I must try harder! State Fairs can be fun. I like to go every few years. Have not tried the Kool-Aid but have tried several other fried things. I do love the funnel cakes, always a favorite.

Isn't it amazing what they come up with to deep fat fry? Ridiculous... and yes, very little redeeming value except for the gut-wrenching (literally, in some cases) feeling of "What in the world did I just voluntarily put in my body?" ;-)

My guess is that they make the koolaid, freeze it, then put a batter around it to deep fry. That's how they deep fry butter. I know this only because I saw it on a show about the fried foods at the Texas state fair.

i have never heard of fried kool-aid--could be good---just a couple of the questions---i don't know if i agree for me what eleanor said although it may happen to us anyway---and favorite household chore--i guess maybe folding laundry but not sheets----hope you are having a great summer joyce :)

Hey Joyce! Miss you and the Hodgepodge. But I decided blogging had to step back while I work full time again. Just stopping in, since I found some free time to read. I'm glad to see you are enjoying your summer. Too soon winter will come again.Hugs, and blessings to you and your family!!